For everyone using Mailchimp, bet you didn't read the fine print.

I have never been a real big reader but I have always been drawn to reading labels and fine print. Oddly enough I recently had a friend who has an affiliate site that uses completely white hat SEO techniques and does everything by the books. She went to start a new campaign and her Mailchimp account was just gone. She contacted Mailchimp and then got a formal reply back that was very vague saying they could no longer offer her their services. So I did some reading into their terms of service and came across this.

"...some industries have higher-than-average abuse complaints, which can jeopardize the deliverability of our entire system. Nothing personal, but in order to maintain the highest delivery rates possible for all our customers, we can’t allow businesses that offer these types of services, products, or content:

• Escort and dating services
• Pharmaceutical products
• Work from home, make money online, and lead generation opportunities
• Gambling services or products
• Multi-level marketing
• Affiliate marketing
• Credit repair and get out of debt opportunities
• List brokers or list rental services
• Selling “Likes” or followers for a social media platform..."

So anyone using Mailchimp for their affiliate sites, beware as all your lists can vanish in a blink of an eye, all your hard work gone. I started reading some other email services and was amazed at how many list affiliate marketing as a no no for their services. I wonder if this is how other services terminate your use of service for not complying to their legal policies or terms of service. See, it pays to read the fine print in things.

Now, before everyone starts commenting, "I use this service and have never had a problem", my friend was the same way, has been using the service for over 3 years and suddenly ...GONE. Anyone can use a service, implement a black hat technique or not use something as directed and get away with it, just be aware that it can turn around and bite you in the ass very quickly. Wouldn't you hate to loose 3 years worth of leads and customers because you didn't abide by the rules? That's my who point here, you either run the risk for some quick cash or you make a sound business decision for a wealthy future.

If anyone else has experienced something like this happening to you with a sort of service or product, please leave a comment below, it would be interesting to hear or if you have any mass email service alternatives. The above quote was pulled directly from Mailchimps' legal policy.